The brand new Formula One (F1) season is upon us. But new season means a new start. Find out what changes 2009 F1 has on Car Design, Broadcasting, Teams, Innovation and Championship Winners.
Car Design:
One of the main noticeable changes this season in F1 is the design of the new racing cars. The revised aerodynamic design of the F1 car, sees a more sleek and uncluttered features. The most significant changes are the narrow and taller rear spoiler and the slender more refined front nose of the car. 2009 also see the reintroduction of the Slick Tire, having been banned in 1998. Slick tires have been assessed to improve safety as more of the surface of the tire is in contact with the track therefore better for breaking. Drivers who opt for the slick tires will be able to be noticed with it trademark green rim, running on the outer edge of the tire.
Broadcasting:
After a 12 year hiatus, F1 returns back home to the BBC. The departure from ITV was due to an amalgamation of errors due to advertising breaks which most annoyingly for viewers meant missing out on iconic events such as, missed the moment that decided the world championship - Lewis Hamilton’s gearbox problem in Interlagos. Its arrival on the BBC means spectators will be able to enjoy every last of the tantalizing 60 laps, in all its glory without the interruptions of television commercials.
Teams:
One significant change to the teams this season in F1 is the introduction of the brand new team Brawn GP. The evolution of the Brawn GP team comes from the ashes of Honda’s withdrawal from all Formula One participations. Brawn GP is the brainchild of Ross Brawn a former Ferrari Technical Director, who set about the creation of the new team to secure jobs and continue the run in the F1. Brawn GP’s drivers are Honda’s Jenson Button and Brazilian F1 veteran Rubens Barichello. Virgin has become Brawn GP’s first official sponsor in the 11thhour, with Richard Brandson securing the deal.
Championship Winner:
Another change which sparks the new dawn of Formula One is the way the championship winner is decided. This new system awards the championship to the driver who has the most victories, rather than the most accumulated points. If by the end of the season, top position is tied, then the driver with the most points will be determined the winner. It has been commented that this new method of scoring better reflects the true value of victory. To put into perspective, if this new method was applied to last season, then Hamilton would lose the championship to Felipe Massa, as he won the most races between them.
Innovation:
The level which a team can innovate technology for its cars has been significantly restricted with the new F1 2009 rules. There has been a voluntary budget cap of 30 million pounds (which is to include driver salaries) has been set to standardize the level and intensity a team can innovate and develop the performance of their cars. This will ultimately have a profound effect and handicap bigger teams such as Ferrari and McLaren. The cap is not a regulation, and because of this the FIA promises great technical freedom in 2010 to the teams who comply with the £30 million sanction. For the teams which choose to go over, they wi9ll be subject to technical restrictions. With the voluntary budget caps on the sport as a whole, some have questioned if F1 will continue to hold onto its innovative sports status.
Technology:
The Kinetic Energy Recovery System also known as KERS, is a new type of technology which can be found throughout all Formula One Cars this season. It works by storing the wasted energy used every time a driver breaks. The stored energy can be used at a simple push of button on each drivers steering wheel and can release up to 80 bhp, which can be used for overtaking, braking or a jump start at the beginning of a race. The KERS system must however be used tactically and at the right time by the drivers. A miscalculated application of the KERS technology may serve to hinder their performance as opposed to enhancing it.With all these changes made to F1, there are bound to be teething problems and possible upsets in the coming races of the 2009 season. Spectators, Fans and F1 Bosses alike will be anxiously and cautiously glued to the unfolding action to see the true effects the F1 changes has on the motoring sport as a whole.
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